6 of the Coolest Past Cadillac Models of the 21st Century

Take a look at the current Cadillac lineup, and you’ll see the culmination of over a century of cutting-edge automotive technology. With a track record like that, it’s no wonder that there are so many iconic past Caddy models. 

We don’t have time to go through all the best Cadillacs ever made, but here are a few of our favorite legacy models from the past 25 years, many of which you can still find on the road near Columbia, SC today. 

Cadillac XLR (2004-2009) 

For those looking to see the pinnacle of early-aughts Cadillac design aesthetic, look no further than the XLR roadster, a two-door drop top that many considered to be Caddy’s version of the Corvette. 

As one of the defining luxury roadsters of the time, it had many excellent features like a power hardtop, available head-up display, and unique suspension. It also had instrumentation designed by famed Italian designers Bulgari. 

It was powered by the mighty 4.6-liter Northstar V8 engine, which many consider to be one of GM’s finest modern motors. Those looking to do some high-speed touring could also opt for the XLR-V, which adopted a supercharged engine that produced a rip-roaring 443 horsepower. 

The XLR had a surprisingly short run, but it continues to live fondly in the minds of performance Cadillac aficionados. 

Cadillac DTS (2006-2011) 

The Cadillac Deville is one of the marque’s most popular models, with an absolutely massive run spanning 46 years and eight generations. The Deville nameplate got officially retired in 2005, but the DTS came on the scene that same year as a spiritual successor—DTS is even said to be an acronym for “Deville Touring Sedan.” 

Looks-wise, the DTS very much resembles the eighth-gen Deville, with only moderate tweaks to the exterior, and it carried over many of the same underpinnings, including the 4.6-liter Northstar V8 engine. 

One of the coolest Cadillacs to come out of this era was the DTS-L, an elongated version with an executive rear row reminiscent of a limo. Despite not seeing impressive sales figures, the DTS-L remains a very cool throwback to the Deville models of the ‘60s. 

Cadillac Eldorado (1952-2002) 

Another longstanding Cadillac legacy model, the Eldorado went through 12 iterations and saw countless special editions in its half-century run. In fact, it’s considered by many to be one of the longest-running luxury cars. 

Despite barely making it into the 21st Century—and this list—the 2002 Eldorado 50th Anniversary Edition earns a special place. After announcing that the Eldorado would be discontinued, Cadillac issues a limited run of special models, complete with the original first-gen colors and special tuning to make it sound like a ‘53. 

The changing automotive landscape and extreme redesigns in the ‘80s saw the Eldorado waning in popularity, but the nameplate still resides on the pantheon of the best Cadillacs of all time. 

Cadillac ELR (2014, 2016) 

“Hang on,” you may be saying. “How can a car that was only made for two years be considered one of the best?” 

It’s true that the ill-fated ELR is seen as a misstep by many. It saw poor sales, and less than 3,000 were produced in total. Still, its forward-thinking plug-in hybrid technology and slick, futuristic looks earn it a spot on this list. 

The ELR had many features that have now become standard in EVs, including Regen on Demand and multiple selectable drive modes that allowed drivers to tweak battery usage on the fly. It also had an all-electric range of almost 40 miles, which is better than many present-day PHEVs. If nothing else, the ELR was an important learning experience for Cadillac, and it paved the way for lauded electric vehicles like the LYRIQ. 

Cadillac CTS Sport Wagon (2010-2014) 

The CTS was one of the dominant Cadillac sedans throughout the early 21st Century, and with the second-gen model, they decided to upgrade it with a wagon-style variant that had 58 cubic feet of cargo capacity, making it an especially capable family road tripper. 

The regular CTS had a 3.0-liter direct-injection engine, which had plenty of zip on its own, but that didn’t stop Cadillac from making a V-Series version. The CTS-V Sport Wagon was powered by a 6.2-liter supercharged V8 that cranked out an ungodly 556 horses. It also included Brembo® brakes and Magnetic Ride Control. 

Cadillac Escalade EXT (2002-2013)

Appearing alongside its Chevy sibling, the Avalanche, the Escalade EXT is an honest-to-goodness Cadillac pickup truck with superb capability and a heaping helping of luxury features. 

It had a few different V8 options across two generations, including a 5.3-liter, a 6.0-liter, and a 6.2-liter, and it could be optioned with either rear-wheel or all-wheel drive. Either way, it had the chops to compete with similarly sized pickups of the time, with a max towing capacity of up to 7,600 pounds. 

One of the coolest features was the foldable Midgate®, which opened the cargo box into the second row and effectively gave the Escalade EXT an 8-foot bed. This made it incredibly versatile, especially considering the weatherproof tonneau cover. 

The Best Selection of Cadillacs for Sale Near Blythewood, SC 

We may not currently have any of the above models at our dealership, but we do have a wide selection of excellent pre-owned Cadillacs for sale at a great price, and they’re Backed by Jim Hudson, which includes a standard 3-month/3,000-mile powertrain limited warranty and a 7-day/500-mile exchange policy. 

If you’d like to take a look at a certified pre-owned Cadillac near Dentsville, SC, contact us online or give us a call at (803) 757-4503 today.